These pictures are of the many sad memorials erected by friends & family to honor murder and other violence victims in the Washington DC area. These spontaneous, homemade, heartfelt creations are found on streets throughout the region. They are often the only physical tribute to the many slaying victims.
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Thursday, April 28, 2011

This shrine is for Raphael Briscoe, 18, who was shot by a Washington DC police officer. It is in the 2400 block of Elvans Road SE, Washington DC. It was built immediately after his death by friends and family.

There was a large police presence in the neighborhood, and quite a number of sad and agitated people were gathered near the shrine. Many were questioning the situation.

From a DC Police report:At approximately 2:30 pm April 26, 2011, members of the Gun Recovery Unit on patrol in the 2400 block of Elvans Road SE, encountered a male armed with a gun.Shots were fired and the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A weapon was recovered.The Metropolitan Police Department’s Force Investigations Team is investigating. The officer has been placed on administrative leave.

Adapted from the Washington Post:Rafael Briscoe, 18, died after being shot by police in the 2400 block of Elvans Rd SE.

Officers from a gun recovery unit were working in the area Tuesday, police said. While on a patrol, officers encountered a male with a gun. The statement gave few details of how matters unfolded.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

From DC Police reports: On Thursday, April 7, 2011, at approximately 9:25 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the report of a shooting in the 1300 block of Congress Street SE, Washington, DC. Upon arrival on the scene, they found a victim, Raheem Jackson, 16, of SE Washington, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS transported him to the hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

His nickname was "Gunna." He was a junior at HD Woodson High School, and a star player on their basketball team.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

So far as I can acertain, this shrine is to Joshua Ruffin, whose funeral was on the same day as these photographs were taken. I spoke with a distraught and tearful woman at the site who also lost her son to violence. She was too upset to attend the funeral. She said the shrine is exactly where Mr. Ruffin's body lay after he was shot.From DC Police reports: On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at approximately 11:20 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the report of a shooting in the 700 block of Yuma Street SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival on the scene, they found a male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. They also located another victim in the same area suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body. DC Fire and EMS transported the second victim to a local hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. He has been identified as Joshua Ruffin, 20, from SE Washington. The first victim showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead on the scene. He has been identified as Reginald L. Williams Jr. 22, of NE Washington.

From DC Police reports: On Friday, April 8, 2011, at approximately 8:10 pm, members of the Seventh District responded to the report of a shooting in the area of Stanton Road and Elvans Road SE, Washington DC. Upon arrival on the scene, they found an adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the 2700 block of Stanton Road, SE. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to the hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The decedent is identified as William Parker, 45, of Capitol Heights, MD.

There have been numerous killings in this neighborhood over the years, but this is the closest I have yet seen to a shrine; and it's just the sad businesslike memento left behind at the scene after the police do their work.

Blessings on Mr. Parker, and peace to his family.

The sign on the pole above the tape points the way to "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" Church.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

From DC police reports: On Sunday, March 27, 2011, at approximately 2:25 am, members of the Third District responded to the 1200 block of 11th Street, NW Washington DC, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival on scene, they found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at approximately 5 am. The victim has been identified as Jose Hernandez-Romero, 24, of the 1400 block of N Street, NW. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the suspect being restrained by witnesses to the shooting. The suspect , identified as Alexis Pineda 24, was arrested and charged with Murder Two While Armed. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

According to other reports, the killing occurred at the now-closed "El Sauce" bar and restaurant. This police crime tape was in the alley behind the main street.